Certificate of Technical Studies

NOTE: This program is currently under review. Please contact the program director or your advisor.

Becoming EMT Certified

Once students successfully complete ECP 131 and turn 18 years of age, they will be eligible and prepared to take the National Registry EMT examination. Upon successful completion of the NREMT exam, they will be certified as an EMT. Being certified as an EMT is one of the requirements for becoming a paramedic.

Eligibility to apply to the Paramedic AAS Program

Upon successful completion of the EMT/Pre-Paramedic Professional Certificate, students will meet the minimum requirements and be able to apply to the GFC MSU Paramedic Program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. People’s lives often depend on their quick reaction and competent care. EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. Employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, or acts of violence, will continue to create demand for EMTs and paramedics. Demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and paramedics in rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas will also continue. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increase in the number of age-related health emergencies, such as heart attacks or strokes. This, in turn, will create greater demand for EMTs and paramedic services. An increase in the number of specialized medical facilities will require more EMTs and paramedics to transfer patients with specific conditions to these facilities for treatment.

The median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics was $31,020 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,180, and the top 10 percent earned more than $53,550. This entry-level wage stated above for EMT/paramedic combines both levels, but when separated out a paramedic annual entry-level wage is much higher. An EMT is an entry-level position, requires much less training (one semester), and many EMTs are volunteers. The paramedic position is the highest level of certification/licensure for a pre-hospital provider, requires much more training (AAS degree), and thus is paid higher than an EMT.

Most paid EMTs and paramedics work full time. About 1 in 3 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2012. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, they may work overnight and on weekends. Some EMTs and paramedics work shifts in 12- or 24-hour increments. Volunteer EMTs and paramedics have variable work schedules.

Graduates are prepared to:

Provide emotional support to patients in an emergency, especially patients who are in life-threatening situations or extreme mental distress.

Work on teams and be able to coordinate their activities closely with others in stressful situations.

Listen to patients to determine the extent of their injuries or illnesses.

Be physically fit. Their job requires a lot of bending, lifting, and kneeling.

Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills. They must be able to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments.

Explain procedures to patients, give orders, and relay information to others, skills necessary to enter the medical workforce in clinics, hospitals, and other health care facilities. Students gain skills in basic computer, medical terminology, professional and career responsibilities, interpersonal communication, records management, written communications, financial administration, managing the office and employment.

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